USNI News – The U.S. military has taken the next step in building thousands of lethal sea-borne attack drones that could be key to deterring a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
US Navy works on war response plan amid Red Sea ship surge
Defense News – The U.S. Navy is working on a new wartime response plan that would affect how ships and crews prepare and deploy for combat, according to the head of U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
Denmark Sends Frigate To The Red Sea
Naval News – Denmark sends the frigate Iver Huitfeldt on a mission as part of the international maritime coalition in and around the Red Sea to strengthen maritime security. The frigate is also expected to be missioned in a future EU-led naval mission in the area.
German navy pegs Indian Ocean, Baltic Sea as top destinations in 2024
Defense News – The German navy’s priorities for 2024 will focus on increasing its presence in the Baltic Sea and Indian Ocean, top service officials said this month, while a deployment to the Red Sea to protect trade ships recently targeted by Houthi rebels in Yemen also is on the horizon.
Russia commissions new ultra-silent submarine
Barents Observer – The diesel-engined Kronshtadt is designed for destruction of enemy ships and infrastructure, and is likely to serve in the Northern Fleet.
India’s Navy Has Arrived
National Interest – True to its tradition of nonalignment, India has declined to join the U.S.-led effort to keep open shipping lanes in the Red Sea, where Houthi rebels have pummeled merchant traffic indiscriminately with drones and antiship missiles. At the same time, though, New Delhi has dispatched ships of war to the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden to protect Indian-flagged merchantmen while succoring ships of any flag that suffer damage from Houthi strikes. Ten Indian Navy warships now patrol waters to the subcontinent’s west.
Sweden’s Submarine Fleet Ready to Set Off in Baltic Sea to Deter Russia
Japan News – With Sweden’s entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization nearing, a jet-black submarine, which will be on the front line of efforts to deter Russia, is quietly ready for departure from the naval base in Karlskrona, southern Sweden.
(Thanks to Alain)
India navy rescues two hijacked vessels off Somalia coast in two days
BBC – Indian naval forces have rescued two hijacked vessels off Somalia’s coast as fears grow over a possible resurgence in piracy in the area.
Mystery Vessel Seen In San Diego Likely U.S. Navy ‘Narco Sub’ Transport
Covert Shores – A mysterious vessel observed in San Diego harbor appears to be a prototype low-profile transport drone (USV – uncrewed surface vessel). The design is strongly reminiscent of many so-called “narco submarines”. Like so much in this field, most of it is hidden below the surface.
(Thanks to Alain)
Greece Expresses Interest In Co-Production Of Constellation-Class Frigates
Naval News – The Greek Minister of Defence Nikolaos Dendias has officially announced Greece’s ambitious plan to construct seven Constellation-class frigates, showcasing the nation’s commitment to bolstering its naval capabilities.
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Trends in Maritime Challenges Indicate Force Design 2030 is the Proper Path
War on the Rocks – We are concerned about the quality of thinking, data, analysis, and synthesis that informs the decisions to reorganize the Marine Corps to meet its fundamental statutory obligations. It is because of that concern that we see that Force Design is indeed improving, not diminishing, the effectiveness of the Marine Corps to respond to the crises of today’s and tomorrow’s security environment. The current events impacting modern security challenges are providing empirical evidence to bear that observation out. We anticipate these real-world indicators will positively support the Force Design 2030 decisions when they are included in the congressionally directed report in the coming year.
Greece Closer Than Ever To Procure LCS From The U.S.
Naval News – The Hellenic Navy is closer than ever to procure Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ships following a letter from US Secretary of State allocating four vessels to Greece.
Amid high-tech talk, US and European navy chiefs bemoan the people problem
Breaking Defense – Western naval leaders gathered in Paris to present their priorities — and agree that recruiting and retention are among the chief challenges of the digital age.
When will the Type 45 destroyers leave Royal Navy service?
Navy Lookout – In answer to a recent Parliamentary question, Defence Minister James Cartlidge said that: “on current plans, the last Type 45 Destroyer will retire from service by the end of 2038”. In this short piece, we consider the reasons to be highly sceptical about this schedule.
China’s PLAN Exercises With YJ-62 Anti-Ship Missile
Naval News – A regiment of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy)’s Northern Theater Navy (also known as “North Sea Fleet”) has deployed land-based YJ-62 anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs) in a drill that took place in the coastal city of Haiyang in Shandong province in China. The move is likely a first and has implications for the strategic Yellow Sea.
‘Back to the ‘80s’ as French navy prepares for new threats
Defense News – Western navies are preparing for wartime scenarios where they may face degraded operational conditions, including a loss of satellite communications, navy commanders from the U.S. and France said at the Paris Naval Conference this week. The French navy includes two or three days of drills under “back to the ‘80s” conditions whenever it deploys its carrier strike group, which means operating without satellite communications, Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Nicolas Vaujour said at the conference.
Hydra-Class Upgrade Program: A Never-Ending Story
Naval News – A total of 25 MEKO 200 frigates were built of six different configurations for five different countries, by the time construction ended in July 2006. The majority of these frigates have already been upgraded or are undergoing Mid-Life Upgrade programs. This aims to prolong their operational life until the late 2030s, ensuring they remain as the backbone of their respective fleets. However, this is not the situation for the Greek ships.
Ship shortage forces Marines to consider alternate deployments
Defense News – The U.S. Marine Corps is looking more closely at how to leverage alternate ships to keep its forces at sea, amid an amphibious ship shortage a top Marine called the “single biggest existential threat” to the service.
First Image Of Iranian / Houthi Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM) In Action
Covert Shores – The Greek-owned bulk carrier Zografia (IMO: 9486013) was hit in the Red Sea on January 16 2024. It was sailing from Vietnam to Israel at the time. It was said to have suffered only minor damage, with no fatalities among the 24 crew.
(Thanks to Alain)
Second OPV 58S offshore patrol vessel arrives in Senegal
DefenceWeb – The Senegalese Navy’s second of three new OPV 58S offshore patrol vessels has arrived home after a delivery voyage from France.
(Thanks to Alain)
Marlin USV – Turkish Navy’s Cutting-Edge Unmanned Vessel Sets Sail
Bosphorous Naval News – With the commissioning of the Marlin USV, the Turkish Navy entered officially into the age of uncrewed surface vessels. The USVs are an opportunity. They open new dimensions and new operational capabilities in front of the naval forces. As it is always the case innovations also bring new problems and challenges.
(Thanks to Alain)
New Ukrainian Underwater Drone Project To Dominate The Black Sea
Naval News – Imagine a future where Ukrainian submersibles sink Russian warships far out in the Black Sea. Project FURY, which is preparing for the next Ukrainian government defense hackathon, is daring to do just that.
Brazilian Navy looks to ‘homemade’ solutions to replace decommissioned ships
Shephard – A “Made in Brazil” mantra has been adopted by the Brazilian Navy to secure the future of its fleet following the decommissioning of approximately 40% of the service’s ships.
(Thanks to Alain)
The U.S. Navy Is All About Warfighting and Combat Readiness
National Interest – James Holmes says it’s all “warfighting,” all the time, for the next four years while Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the newly installed chief of naval operations (CNO) or top-ranked U.S. naval officer, presides over the U.S. Navy. It seems Admiral Franchetti is a one-note instrument. Combat readiness is the note—and it’s the right note.
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